Harbour Heights, Dartmouth

Harbour Heights is a holiday house set high on the hill above Dartmouth, looking down over the Dart estuary and out to sea, and it pairs with one of the most dog-friendly towns in Devon. Guests travelling with dogs describe Dartmouth as a place where dogs are allowed almost everywhere, from pubs with open fires to restaurants and the waterfront, and the house works as a base for exactly that kind of stay.

Inside, the thing guests mention most is how completely the house is equipped; the kitchen in particular draws comparisons with people's own homes, and small provisions matter more than they sound, including a torch that dog owners have found useful on the last walk of the evening. Beds are comfortable, the heating is easy to control, and there is a decked terrace at the back with the same estuary view. Parties have stayed with two dogs alongside adults and a toddler without trouble.

The views do the rest. Mornings bring boats moving on the estuary and the steam railway running along the far bank, close enough to hear the whistle. Dogs get the run of a whole house rather than a room, with no shared corridors or lifts to negotiate.

The location has a cost. Getting down into town means a long flight of steps, and getting back means climbing them, which is fine for a fit dog and less so for an elderly one; the steps also turn slippery after rain. The lanes suit a small car, and guests arriving in a large one have regretted it. Housekeeping is the recurring complaint rather than the house itself: a deep-pile rug in the lounge has repeatedly been found holding hair from previous dogs, and the conservatory and the edges of rooms have needed more attention than they got. With a 4.5/5 paw rating, this suits an active party with dogs who want space, views and a town where the dog comes everywhere.